§ Mr. ReedTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress she has made in her review of Post Office services, with particular reference to Crown post office closures; and if she will make a statement.[16560]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe first stage of our review of the Post Office has taken the form of a scoping study and has comprised extensive consultations with the main interested parties in the postal sector. Our aim is to develop a comprehensive policy programme for the Post Office in the context of our manifesto commitment to grant the Post Office greater commercial freedom. Decisions on the future of the Post Office policy of converting Crown post offices to agency status, which has been suspended since May, will be taken within the wider framework of the review.